Orange Media Network Advisory Board Minutes, Dec. 3, 2024

Brynne Boehlecke, editor in chief of Prism

Audrey Saiz, EIC of The Barometer

Mukund Sammi, Clubs & Organizations

Dylan Sutherland, student at large

 

Not present: 

Ariana Mendoza, DAS

Nicole Hinds, BNC

Nathanel Normie, CFSL

Rashed Sayedshareef, INTO

Megan Ho, OSUPC

Jillian St. Jacques, SWLF

 

Also present: Secretary and journalism adviser Jennifer Moody was in attendance to take minutes.

 

Chair Lilly Goodyear said Beaver's Digest EIC Ella Mashroutechi asked for the publication feedback on BD to be moved to the top of the agenda so she could attend her cohort meeting. Lilly made a motion to make that change to the agenda, which Ella seconded. This was passed by acclimation.

 

Lilly passed around copies of the fall publication of Beaver's Digest and the most recent Barometer for review. 

 

Ella introduced herself and gave some feedback on the magazine, which has an election theme and was centered on student participation in, and thoughts about, the political systems in the nation.

 

Board member feedback on BD:

Lilly: I was reading about Project 2025 when I saw the graphic (for the piece on jury duty). I gasped when I saw it. This article is award-winning.

Brynne: The back cover knocks me over every time. It's really evocative and timely.

Abigael: I appreciated the connections the stories made specifically to our community. They weren't too broad.

Lilly: The story about the new campus calendar change was awesome. Asking for Yom Kippur off is really awkward for me.

Macy: I liked the survey (about how students would change the Constitution). It's a nice snapshot about what a lot of people care about. Fun to read. 

Brynne: This election was a first foray into "adult" life for a lot of people. This article (about how students would change the Constitution) helps bridge the gap.

Macy: And it helps break up the heaviness of the deeper story.

Abigael: I really appreciated the story about conservative students.

Ella: We were surprised to find that sources felt they had found community.

 

Ella: What would you recommend for next time?

 

Abigael: The text on the campus protest story is hard to read.

Dylan: Addition of shorter stories to break up the heavy topics. 

Brynne: Just a question - was it a decision to use graphics rather than photos?

Ella: Yes, because much of this was conceptual, e.g. "capitalism." Also, photo is critical for DAMchic, whereas we have more flexibility.
 

Ella: Our next theme is mental health. Suggestions?

 

Lilly: Could you include a story on resources available off campus as well as on?

Macy: There seems to be a disconnect between what CAPS thinks it is offering and its effectiveness, and what students think they are receiving and its effectiveness. Maybe explore that?

Lilly: You might look at generational differences. In our generation, some of us are the first to seek treatment. Some of us are having to both hide it from our families and navigate how to do it alone. 

Jennifer: Numbers tell a powerful story. How big is CAPS' budget? How many people does that cover? How big is their caseload? How long is the wait list? How does that compare to other universities our size?

Maddie: Athletics always seems to have whatever it needs for mental health resources. You could look at that.

 

Board member feedback on Baro:

Lilly and Mukund: We love the QR codes and coupons. Makes it more interactive.

Dylan: I like the option to listen online.

Abigael: Great choices for Wes' historical story. Good mix of students and professors. 

Lilly: I had no idea the former CEO of Dutch Bros was a Beaver.

Mukund: Besides the other QR codes, I loved the QR map on pg. 5. Access to relevant resources is good.

 

Jennifer: Thoughts on overall coverage? What do you recommend?

 

Macy: I miss the crossword!

Audrey: Our puzzler wanted to try different stuff, but I've been hearing that. It's something we will bring back.

Macy: Even a mini? Or a hybrid?

Macy: I like weird coverage of weird stuff. Like the one about the edible garden by McNary, that's probably my favorite story ever. It's so niche and campus-specific and interesting.

Brynne: I love seeing the staff. That Goodwill reel! Breaking news is great, but I love fun stuff as well.

Abigael: The 2 Towns photo gallery was great.

Macy: And the Pokemon article! I love variety. Niche! OSU! Community! That's what I love to read.

 

(At 4:30, Lilly turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Abigael Craig and left for class, and Ella left for the BD cohort meeting.)

 

Macy: FM has 130 DJs. We're running out of time in the week. This is the most I've ever seen. We have a larger turnout for events, more enthusiasm and more participation. We will be training in winter term - we can train up to 30 - and if we get 30 more we will have 160. But they will have to want the 2 a.m. slots. Engagement has been really good - I get something like six interest forms per day as messages. So - something is working. I don't know what it is.

 

Macy (reading TV's notes): TV is hosting the ASOSU debate during winter term. They are planning more recruitment, reaching out to the production classes. They want to beef up the volunteer staff. Livestream sports coverage is planned for the OSU soccer tournament. 

 

Brynne: PRISM has had a "soft close" on submissions but is expecting a couple of latecomers this week. The review committee will meet in January. I knew that giving out the theme ahead of time might limit our submissions and we got about what I was expecting. What was surprising is we got a fairly even mix between visual and written. We've already made some decisions on how it will look, which involves some changes, such as adding artist statements. We also want to make the review committee's decisions a little more quantifiable. We're deciding our timeline on Friday and the content within the first four weeks of term. Launch is May 2 in the PRaX Lobby, afternoon.

 

Maddie: ASOSU is doing a holiday toy drive. That's all I know, but I have been gone and just got back.

 

Dylan: Not sure how I report an update as a student at large! The only big thing I know about is the strike, and you're on that already.

 

Mukund: Clubs and Orgs has been really, really busy. We have had more club activity reports than all of last year. We are planning a lot of signature events - Thai Night, India Night, etc. - and we would love to have you help spread the word. 

 

Audrey: Baro is working on its January issue now so it will be available to distribute first day back. We have 10-15 new reporters and two beat reporters. Lots of work on strike coverage and election coverage. 

 

Abigael: DAMchic's fall magazine has been uploaded and the launch is this Friday from 5 to 7 in the Horizon Room of the MU. Clothing swap, entertainer, paper craft all planned. Our winter theme is "Made With Love," which will focus on people's handmade clothing and accessories.

Abigael opened the floor for comments.

Maddie: I work at Dutch Bros and the OMN rack is always empty ...?

Jennifer: I will let Marketing know. (Side note: I have done so.)

 

Macy: If anyone wants a radio PSA, please email me. If it's an event that's open to the public, we can tell people.

 

Brynne: I promise DAMchic and PRISM will have a joint event in winter. I promise, a thousand percent. I want that on the record. (Jen: Noted.)

There being no further business, Abigael adjourned the meeting at 4:53 p.m.